Auckland Sky Tower at Night

• New Zealand consists of two main islands and many smaller ones in the South Pacific Ocean
• It is approximately 1600 km (995 mi) southeast of Australia
• With a population of 4 million in a country about the size of the United Kingdom, many areas are sparsely settled.
• The capital of New Zealand is Wellington
• Auckland, with a population of around 1.25 million people, is the largest city in Polynesia.
• English is the common and everyday language of New Zealand. New Zealand is a multi-cultural society and you may hear many other languages spoken, including Maori, which is also an official language of New Zealand.
• In a few days drive it is possible to see everything from mountain ranges to sandy beaches, lush rainforests, glaciers and fiords and active volcanoes.
• New Zealand’s ‘Pacific Rim’ cuisine style takes its inspiration from regions and countries such as Europe, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Polynesia, Japan and Vietnam.
• New Zealand’s geographic isolation for 80 million years and island biogeography is responsible for the country’s unique species of flora and fauna.
• Golf, netball, tennis and cricket are the four top participatory sports

HISTORY

• New Zealand was the last significant land mass to be inhabited by humans
• The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about 800 AD
• In 1642 Dutch explorer Abel van Tasman sailed up the west coast of the place he named Nieuw Zeeland, after the Netherlands province of Zeeland.
• Captain James Cook sailed around New Zealand on three separate voyages, the first in 1769. Captain Cook gave names to a number of New Zealand places which are still in use.
• The first settlers were sealers, then missionaries. The Europeans started arriving in greater numbers in the early 19th century.
• This treaty signed in 1840 ceded sovereignty over New Zealand to the Queen of England and guaranteed Maori possession of their own land. The treaty was written in English and in Maori.
• New Zealand gave its women the right to vote in 1893, a quarter century before Britain or the US.

FACTS

Tongariro Lakes

• The indigenous Maori name of New Zealand is ‘New Zealand Aotearoa’. Translated into English, it means ‘New Zealand, The Land of the Long White Cloud’.
• New Zealand is part of ‘The Pacific Rim of Fire’. Mount Ruapehu, situated in central North Island, is the most active volcano of the country.
• New Zealand was the first democracy in the West that gave women the right to vote.
• As far as the geography of New Zealand is concerned, 30% comprises of forests.
• Bungee jumping was invented in New Zealand.
• Dunedin city of New Zealand boast of housing the country’s oldest university, first newspaper and first botanical gardens.
• Edmund Hillary, the first person to climb Mt Everest, was a citizen of New Zealand.
• New Zealand has one of the highest car ownership rates in the world, with 2.5 million cars for 4 million people.
• New Zealand has won the most Olympic gold medals, per capita, amongst all the participant countries.
• New Zealand is amongst the top five dairy exporters in the world. Combined with the other four biggest exporters, it supplies around 90% of dairy products on the international market.
• New Zealand is home to the largest flightless parrot (kakapo), oldest reptile (tuatara), biggest earthworms, smallest bats, heaviest insect (a weta), some of the oldest trees and many rarest species birds, insects, and plants, in the world.
• New Zealand, before European arrival, had no predatory animals. Thus, it was like a heaven for birds, many of them flightless.
• To become a New Zealand citizen, you must swear an oath of loyalty to Queen Elizabeth.

Expect to spend around $8 – $10 NZD per day on food if you are cooking yourself and around $10 – $15 NZD if eating takeaways

Meal Costs

• Low- under 15 NZD
• Mid- 15-25 NZD
• High- more than 25 NZD

Hotel Costs

• Dorm bed – 20 NZD
• Double/Twin (per person) – 25 NZD
• Single – 50 NZD
• Hotel breakfast – 10-25 NZD

• Cigarettes – 12 NZD (pack of 20)
• KFC meal – 7.50 NZD
• Pie – 2.50 NZD
• Pizza (pizza hut) – 15 NZD
• Fish and Chips – 4 NZD
• Can of Coke – 1.50 NZD
• Rafting or jet boating – 90-140 NZD
• Whale watching – 120 NZD
• Bungee jump – 140 NZD
• One day horse trek – 150 NZD
• Ballooning – 220 NZD
• Tandem Skydive from 12000 feet – 320 NZD
• Rental Car: $30-$50 NZD per day
• A postcard stamp to anywhere – 1.50 NZD
• Cappucino – 3.50 NZD

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Lake Pukaki

• The emergency telephone number in New Zealand is 111
• The level of crime in New Zealand is similar to other western countries.
• Dishonesty offences, such as theft, are by far the most frequent type of crime.
• Travelers should take simple, sensible precautions such as putting valuables away out of sight or in a secure place and locking doors of vehicles
• Rowdy bars or drunken crowds in city centres, or groups of youths in the suburbs, are best avoided, especially late at night and in the early morning.
• Severe weather is by far the most common natural hazard encountered in New Zealand. Severe weather warnings should be heeded when broadcast.
• You should always seek advice from the Department of Conservation when trekking in Alpine areas. There are annual fatalities of both foreign nationals and New Zealanders caught unaware by the weather.

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Lake Tekapo and Mountains

• New Zealand has a temperate climate in the South Island and sub-tropical climate in the North Island
• Maximum daytime temperatures sometimes exceed 30°C and only fall below 0°C in the elevated inland regions. Rainfall and humidity is generally higher in the West than the East of the country due to the North-South orientation of the mountain ranges
• New Zealand is one of the most difficult countries in the world in which to forecast the weather.
• It is not uncommon, especially on the South Island, to experience four seasons in one day.
• The weather is mostly influenced by fast moving weather systems in the strong westerly winds, which are often referred to as the roaring forties, which predominate over southern parts of the country and seas to the south.

RECOMMENDED CLOTHING

• Dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants and night-spots. Men are generally not expected to wear suits and ties, except in a few of the top formal bars and restaurants in major cities.
• In summer a jacket and sweater should be included in your luggage should the weather turn cooler or you visit higher altitudes. You can expect some rain, so also include a light rainproof jacket or coat. If visiting between May and September, pack warm winter garments and layer your clothing.

The Ferry Building in Auckland

Tongariro National Park

• The oldest national park in New Zealand, located in the central North Island
• It has been acknowledged by UNESCO as one of the 25 mixed cultural and natural World Heritage Sites.
• It was the fourth national park established in the world.
• The park includes many active volcanic mountains, sky fields, and a number of Maori religious sites
• The park stretches around the massif of the three volcanoes Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Tongariro.
• The main activities are hiking and climbing in summer, and skiing and snowboarding in winter. There is also opportunity for hunting, game fishing, mountain biking, horse riding, rafting and scenic flights.

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The Bay of Islands

• An area in the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand
• It is one of the most popular fishing, sailing and tourist destinations in the country
• It has been renowned internationally for its big-game fishing

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Christchurch Casino

• A casino located in Christchurch, New Zealand
• It was New Zealand’s first casino when it opened in 1994
• The casino operates 500 slot machines and 34 table games
• The property has three restaurants and two bars
• Entry is restricted to patrons above the age of 20

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Cathedral Square, Christchurch

• Cathedral Square, locally known simply as the Square, is the geographical centre and heart of Christchurch, New Zealand
• The city’s Anglican cathedral, ChristChurch Cathedral is located here
• The Cathedral has been badly damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake

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Hanmer Springs

• A small town in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand
• The town is built around a popular hot spring which was discovered in the late 19th century
• The hot springs were produced by the fractured rock bed along the Hanmer fault

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Auckland Domain

• The oldest park in New Zealand
• Resting above the volcanic crater known as Pukekawa
• The park houses a number of historic attractions, most notable among them the Auckland War Memorial Museum
• Walking paths, picturesque statues, and incredible plant varieties, many of which are featured in Wintergardens, dot the landscape throughout the park

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Beehive Building

• Located in Wellington, and otherwise known as the New Zealand Parliament Building
• Designed by a Scottish architect, the ten-story building is shaped like an actual beehive
• The offices of the Prime Minister can be found here

Auckland Harbour Bridge

• The Auckland Harbour Bridge was completed in 1959 and spans more than 1,000 meters over St. Mary’s Bay
• The bridge is popular with tourists because of the illuminated views of the city at night
• The bridge is also popular amongst climbers and those who enjoy bungee jumping excursions

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Mount Eden

• Also referred to as Maungawhau, Mount Eden is Auckland’s highest volcano
• The mountain slopes features a wide variety of trails suitable for both hikers and walkers
• It isn’t difficult to reach the summit, where you’ll be simply amazed at the views of the city beneath you

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Rangitoto Island

• The most youthful of the volcanoes in the area, but also the largest
• The island used to boast a number of residential settlements, but they were abandoned after the Depression, leaving only a glimpse of what life was like in the early 1900’s
• Today the island features plenty of hiking and walking trails, hundreds of unique plant varieties, and an incredible dense Phoutukawa Forest

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One Tree Hill

• Ranks amongst the tallest volcanic peaks in the city of Auckland
• The area is treated with a considerable amount of respect and is recognized as a memorial ground by the Maori settlers
• The hill used to feature a single totara tree
• In the late 1800’s the tree was replaced by a pine tree, but towards the end of the 20^th century the tree was attacked and destroyed – not once, but twice
• The park still features a number of hiking trails and incredible summits for viewing the land below

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Rotorua

• One of the most prominent features in this city is The Bath House, which is considered one of the most incredible spas in all of the South Pacific
• The natural hot springs draw visitors from all over, as everyone clamors to take advantage of their therapeutic properties

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Communication Etiquette:
• Greetings tend to be casual
– Handshake and a smile
• The smile indicates pleasure – it is highly valued
• New Zealanders tend to speak on a first name basis quiet frequently
• They are kind of reserved people – more frequently if they do not know you
– They will trust you until you give them a reason not to
•

Business Etiquette:
• Appointments are necessary and should be made in advance
– From out of country you should book well in advance
• Arrive to meetings on time or a few minutes early
– If you are late this may be interpreted as unreliable or arrogant
• Meetings are serious but they will also be relaxed
• Negotiation will take time
– Don’t pressure sale
• Use demonstrations instead of just talking about or describing
• Stick to a point in discussion
• Very direct in business discussions
– Be realistic
– Maintain eye contact
– Avoid exaggerated claims ‘
• Emotions are not important in New Zealand business